Personal communicator with flip element display

ABSTRACT

A portable personal communicator include a body portion and a flip element having a built-in display. The body portion includes either a telephone keypad or a second display. The personal communicator functions as a radiotelephone, and can also transmit and receive non-voice data messages. Input keys on the flip element are provided proximate to the flip element display so that software-definable functions performed by the keys can be indicated on the display adjacent to the respective keys.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/741,463,filed Oct. 31, 1996, now abandoned, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 08/349,032, filed on Dec. 2, 1994, now abandoned,which is a continuation-in-part part application of application Ser. No.29/024,955, filed Jun. 23, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. Des. 363,281, issuedOct. 17, 1995, to Michael F. Buhrmann.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to portable radiotelephones for use ina wireless communication system, and more particularly to a personalcommunicator that has radiotelephone and data-message handlingcapabilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In today's competitive business environment, it is becoming increasinglyimportant for business people to have access to a personalcommunications network at all times. Accordingly, portableradiotelephones, such as cellular telephones and cordless telephones,have become commonplace.

One popular variety of radiotelephone has two main housing elementsconnected by a hinge, allowing the telephone to be folded into a compact“closed” configuration when it is not in use, and to be unfolded into an“open” configuration when it is in use. The larger of the two housingelements, hereinafter referred to as the “body portion,” normallycontains most of the electronics required for operation of theradiotelephone. The smaller housing element, hereinafter referred to asthe “flip element,” normally contains at most a microphone and a ringingelement. Radiotelephones of this type are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,845,772 and 5,185,790.

Radiotelephones of the flip element type provide a compact means toaccess voice communications virtually anywhere. Often, however, businesspeople have the need to access information that is not available overthe telephone or that cannot be easily or efficiently communicated in atelephone conversation. For example, a person may have the need to sendor receive text messages, access remote databases, or access a directoryof addresses and telephone numbers of business associates. Heretofore,radiotelephones of the flip element type have not provided asatisfactory means for their users to access, send or receive non-voiceinformation. Consequently, radiotelephone users have had to make use ofseparate devices for these purposes, such as facsimile machines,portable personal computers, electronic personal organizers and personaldigital assistants.

While some radiotelephones of the flip element type have included avisual display, such as the telephones disclosed in U.S. Design Pat.Nos. 298,036 and 337,763, these radiotelephones have heretoforeincorporated the display on the body portion of the device. Because muchof the surface area of the body portion is used for various requiredelements of the telephone (such as a keypad, an earpiece, on/off andvolume switches, etc.), the display is typically made small in order topreserve the compact size of the unit. Consequently, only a small amountof information can be presented to the user at a time, limiting the useof the display to relatively rudimentary functions such as the displayof a single telephone number. Such small displays cannot be usedeffectively for more advanced communications functions that requirepresentation of relatively large amounts of visual information.

Therefore, a new radiotelephone is needed that provides a larger visualdisplay with enhanced features, and the capability to send, receive, andstore non-voice information.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portableradiotelephone having a body portion, a telephone keypad incorporatedinto the body portion, a flip element, and a display incorporated intothe flip element so that the user of the radiotelephone can send,receive, and view data messages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portableradiotelephone having a body portion with a first built-in display, anda flip element portion with a second built-in display, wherein at leastone of the two displays is touch-sensitive.

Accordingly, these and other objects are realized in the presentinvention which encompasses a portable radiotelephone (referred toherein as a “personal communicator”) that has a display built into theflip element. In a first embodiment, the personal communicator has asingle display that is disposed on the flip element and a conventionaltelephone keypad that is located on the body portion. The personalcommunicator further comprises memory and processing circuitry to permitthe execution of conventional communications application programs. Thedisplay may be either touch-sensitive or non-touch-sensitive, and ispreferably activated when the flip element is folded to an openposition.

The display may be used to display text or graphics that is received bythe personal communicator under the control of a communicationsapplication program. For example, the display may be used to displayshort message service (SMS), beeper, E-Mail or facsimile messages. Thedisplay may also be used to display status information forcommunications application programs. The display may also be used topermit the user to select among a plurality of menu options. Forembodiments that use a touch-sensitive display, menu items can beselected by pushing on selected areas of the screen. For embodimentsthat do not use a touch-sensitive display, menu items can be selected bypushing keys that are provided on the flip element adjacent to thedisplay, the functions of which may be indicated on the display. Thetelephone keypad may be used to place telephone calls over a cellularnetwork, and may be used in conjunction with communications applicationprograms.

In a second embodiment, the personal communicator has a first display onthe flip element, and has a second display on the body portion (in placeof the conventional telephone keypad of the first embodiment). One orboth displays may be touch-sensitive. A telephone keypad can bedisplayed on the touch-sensitive display (or displays) under the controlof software, to permit the user to dial a telephone number without theneed for a push-button keypad. The displayed keypad can be removed fromthe screen when not in use, providing a larger total display area forviewing messages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood when read in light ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal communicator constructed inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, showing adisplay on the flip element of the device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the personal communicatorshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a personal communicator constructed inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, showingdisplays on the body portion and on the flip element of the device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the personal communicatorshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the flip element of either of thepersonal communicators shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, showing an exampledisplay output that indicates functions performed by input keys on theflip element.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of either of the personal communicatorsshown in FIGS. 1 and 3, showing the personal communicator in a compact,folded configuration.

FIG. 7 is a high level flowchart illustrating a process that isperformed when a personal communicator receives a data message.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Two preferred embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below. A first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises aportable radiotelephone having a telephone keypad on the body portionwith and display on the flip element. A second embodiment, shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, comprises a portable radiotelephone having a firstdisplay on the body portion a second display on the flip element. FIGS.5, 6 and 7 are applicable to both radiotelephone embodiments.

Both radiotelephones have data message handling capabilities, permittingusers to send and receive data messages, such as textual messagesprovided in accordance with a short message service (SMS) standard. Inaccordance with this aspect of the present invention, theradiotelephones will hereinafter be referred to as “personalcommunicators.”

A portable, personal communicator 100 according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention is shown in FIG. 1. A block diagram of theinternal circuitry of the personal communicator 100 is shown in FIG. 2.Referring first to FIG. 1, the personal communicator 100 has two mainportions, a body portion 101 and a flip element 121. The body portion101 and the flip element 121 are connected by a hinge 131. The bodyportion 101 is configured for placement to the ear of a user. Further,the body portion 101 and the flip element 121 are positioned relative toone another such that a user of the personal communicator 100 may placean ear against an earpiece 105 and may speak into a mouthpiece 129 whenthe flip element 121 is in an open angular position (as shown in FIG.1).

A keypad 103 is provided on the body portion 101. The keypad 103includes standard telephone number dialing keys (labeled 0-9, * and # inFIG. 1), and additional keys to facilitate wireless telephonecommunications. Additional keys or switches (not shown) may be providedto perform functions such as power on/off, channel select, volumecontrol, and telephone number recall. The personal communicator 100 mayalso include various adapter outlets (not shown), such as an AC poweradapter outlet, an audio outlet for headphones, or a communicationsadapter outlet for direct communications between the personalcommunicator 100 and a personal computer. A rechargeable battery pack,the location of which is generally shown at 107, enables the personalcommunicator 100 to be recharged, for example, by mechanically couplinga charging contact (not shown) on the battery pack 107 to a base station(not shown). An antenna 109 enables wireless communication between thepersonal communicator 100 and other devices in a communications network.

When the flip element 121 is open as shown in FIG. 1, a built-in display123 is visible to a user of the personal communicator 100. The display123 may be a conventional LCD or plasma display, or another type oflightweight, lower-power display. The display 123 advantageouslyprovides various types of visual information to the user of the personalcommunicator 100, such as alphanumeric text, or graphic or video images.The flip element 121 also includes input keys 125, 126, and 127 to allowa user to input information into the personal communicator 100.

The display 123 may be used for output only, in which case user input isaccomplished primarily through the use of the input keys 125, 126, and127 and the keypad 103. However, the display 123 is preferably aconventional touch sensitive display, such as a DMF series LCD TouchScreen available from Optrex, that can be used for input as well asoutput. The use of a touch sensitive display enables the user to inputinformation by touching menu items presented on the display 123. In analternative embodiment, a user can additionally or alternatively inputinformation by writing on the display 123 with a stylus (not shown). Aconventional character recognition means can advantageously be includedto facilitate input of information using the stylus. In addition to theabove-mentioned sources of user input, the personal communicator 100 maybe configured to accept and process an audio input, in which case thepersonal communicator 100 may be equipped with a voice recognitioncapability.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the internal circuitry of thepersonal communicator 100 is shown, with arrows indicating the directionof information flow between the various electrical components of thepersonal communicator 100. A central processing unit (“CPU”) 201 isconnected to an input port 208 and an output port 209. The CPU 201 isalso connected to non-volatile random access memory (“RAM”) 215 andread-only memory (“ROM”) 216. As will be recognized by those skilled inthe art, one or more of the CPU 201, the input and output ports 208 and209, the RAM 215 and the ROM 216 may be integrated into a conventionalmicroprocessor, microcontroller, or application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). It will further be recognized that multiple CPU's can beprovided, with, for example, one or more CPU's acting as a slave to amaster CPU.

Connected to the input port 208 are the keypad 103, the input keys 125,126, and 127, a receiver (“Rx”) 213, and a switch 230. The switch 230 isconnected between a line 232 and a voltage source (+V), such that theline 232 is held high (at approximately +V volts) when the switch isclosed. A pull-down resistor 234 pulls the line 232 to ground when theswitch 230 is open. The switch 230 is preferably formed within a hingeportion 131 of the personal communicator 100 such that the switch 230transitions between an open and a closed state as the flip element 121is pivoted past a predetermined angular position relative to the bodyportion 101. The switch 230 may be a contact switch, hook switch,magnetically activated switch, or other device conventionally used for asimilar purpose. The switch 230 is used by the CPU 201 to activate thedisplay 123 when the flip element 121 is folded to an open position, andmay further be used to switch the personal communicator 100 betweenvarious modes (modes discussed below).

Connected to the output port 209 are a speaker 205, an optionalmechanical vibrator 212 for alerting a user, a transmitter (“Tx”) 214, adisplay driver 223, and a ringer 211. The display driver 223 isconnected to the display 123. If the display 123 is a touch sensitivedisplay, the display driver 223 is also connected to the input port 208,as shown by a dashed line in FIG. 2. The speaker 205 is situatedproximately behind the earpiece 105 so that the user of the personalcommunicator 100 is able to hear the sounds generated by the speaker205. In addition to being connected to the input port 208, the receiver213 is connected to the antenna 109 and to the speaker 205. Thetransmitter 214, in addition to being connected to the output port 209,is connected to the antenna 109 and to a microphone (MIC) 229. Themicrophone 229 is situated proximately behind the mouthpiece 129(FIG. 1) in order to pick up the voice of the user of the personalcommunicator 100. If the personal communicator 100 is equipped to acceptand process audio input, the microphone 229 is also connected to theinput port 208, as shown by a dashed line in FIG. 2.

A battery 207 provides the electrical power necessary to operate thevarious electrical components of the personal communicator 100. Whilethe actual electrical connections of the battery 207 are not shown inFIG. 2, conventional means are employed to supply electrical power fromthe battery 207 to the various electrical components of the personalcommunicator 100.

The type of information that the CPU 201 outputs to, or inputs from, thedisplay 123 depends on the software which the CPU 201 is executing at agiven time. Software application programs may be loaded into RAM 215from ROM 216 or from another type of non-volatile storage device (notshown), such as a flash memory card or a miniature disk drive that ismounted within or interfaced to the personal communicator 100.Application programs may also be transmitted to the personalcommunicator 100 from a remote storage device, or “downloaded” directlyto the personal communicator 100, for example, via a communicationsadapter that links the personal communicator 100 to a personal computer.Once an application program is loaded into RAM 215, the program may beexecuted by the CPU 201. Applications may be executed partially by theCPU 201 and partially by remote processing means operating in a“client/server” relationship, allowing the personal communicator 100 toaccess greater storage and processing resources than are availablewithin the personal communicator 100 itself. Once executed, anapplication program has access to all of the I/O devices to which theCPU 201 is interfaced. For example, an application can send and receiveradio frequency signals via the receiver 213 and the transmitter 214,can input and output audio information via the microphone 229 and thespeaker 205, can input information from the keypad 103 and the inputkeys 125, 126, and 127, and can output visual information to, and inputvisual information from, the display 123.

The personal communicator 100 is advantageously suitable for a varietyof communications applications. The display 123 may be used to displaymessage data received under the control of an application program. Forexample, the display 123 can be used to display short message service(SMS) messages that are in accordance with an SMS standard published bythe CCITT. The display 123 can also be used to display fax messages,e-mail messages, beeper messages, and other types of messages sent inaccordance with conventional communications protocols. The display 123can further be used to display status information for the personalcommunicator 100 and for application programs that are being executed,and to allow the user to select from a plurality of menu options. Forembodiments that use a touch sensitive display, the display 123 may alsobe used to compose data message, in which case an alphanumeric keypadmay be shown on the display 123. The display 123 can further be used todisplay directories of names and phone numbers stored in RAM 215. Forembodiments that use a touch sensitive display 123, displayed telephonenumbers can further be selected for dialing by depressing acorresponding portion of the display 123.

The telephone keypad 103 may be used to place telephone calls, includingvoice telephone calls and calls placed to initiate data communications.The telephone keypad 103 may further be used (with a template orotherwise) to allow a user to generate a data message to send. Thetelephone keypad 103 may further be used to allow a user to enter apassword to access certain types of data messages.

Preferably, when the flip element 121 is in the closed position (asshown in FIG. 6), the personal communicator 100 operates in a “voicecommunications receive mode,” wherein the personal communicator 100 canreceive incoming cellular phone calls but cannot accept data messages.In an alternative embodiment, the personal communicator 100 isconfigured to accept both telephone calls and data messages when theflip element 121 is in the closed position.

In the voice communications ready mode, the personal communicator 100can alert a user to an incoming telephone call by activating the ringer211 or the vibrator 212. The personal communicator 100 optionally may beprogrammed to execute a voice mail application to record the caller'svoice message in RAM 215 immediately or after a preprogrammed number ofrings. The display 123 is maintained in an off state when the flipelement 121 is closed, to conserve power.

When the flip element 121 is in an open position, the personalcommunicator 100 is preferably switchable between a “voice mode,” a“display mode,” and a “dual mode,” as specified by the user. The modethat the personal communicator 100 “comes up” in when the flip element121 is initially opened may be pre-specified by the user. In the voicemode, the personal communicator 100 operates like a standardradiotelephone, allowing a user to dial telephone numbers, answerincoming telephone calls, and carry on telephone conversations. Thecomponents of the personal communicator 100 that are not required forvoice communications, such as the display 123, are advantageously turnedoff or maintained in a low-power state while the personal communicator100 operates in the voice mode. In the display mode, the display 123 isactive, allowing the user to select a function from a menu of optionsthat allow the user to interact with software application programs. Forexample, the user can select between menu items that allow the user tocreate a data message, send a data message, or view a data messagepreviously stored to RAM 215. Menu options can be selected using thekeys 125, 126 and 127. As illustrated in FIG. 6, which illustrates asample menu on the display 123, the keys 125, 126 and 127 preferablyserve functions that are software-definable, with portions of thedisplay 123 proximate to the keys 125, 126, 127 indicating the functionsperformed by the respective keys. For example, when the user is viewinga received data message, the key 125 may be defined as a scroll keywhich permits the user to scroll forward through the displayed message.For embodiments that include a touch-sensitive display, menu items mayadditionally or alternatively be selected by depressing a portion of thedisplay 123.

The dual mode is a combination of the voice and display modes. The dualmode advantageously allows a user to interact with software applicationprograms while simultaneously carrying on a telephone conversation. Tofacilitate operation in the dual mode, the personal communicator 100 maybe equipped with a headphones socket (not shown) and/or a “speakerphone”capability, so that a user can simultaneously hear another party'svoice, view the display 123, and input information into the personalcommunicator 100.

Switching between the various operating modes available when the flipelement 121 is open is preferably accomplished manually by a user, forexample, by the use of one or more of the keys 125, 126, 127 on thepersonal communicator 100. Mode switching may also be accomplishedautomatically in response to particular events. For example, when anincoming telephone voice call is answered, such as by the user openingthe flip element 121, the personal communicator 100 may automaticallyenter voice mode. Additional operating modes may be utilized in order toobtain the best combination of ease-of-use and long battery life for thepersonal communicator 100.

The personal communicator 100 may alert a user to an incoming telephonecall or data message audibly using the ringer 211, visually using thedisplay 123 (when the display 123 is active), or physically using thevibrator 212. The specific means used to alert the user can bepreprogrammed by the user. Further, the personal communicator 100 can beconfigured such that the particular means used to alert the userindicates the type of communication being received (e.g., telephonecall, data message, emergency data message, fax, etc.).

A portable personal communicator 300 according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention is shown in FIG. 3. A block diagram of theinternal circuitry of the personal communicator 300 is shown in FIG. 4.Referring first to FIG. 3, the personal communicator 300 has a bodyportion 301, an earpiece 305, a rechargeable battery pack showngenerally by 307, an antenna 309, a flip element 321, input keys 325,326 and 327, a mouthpiece 329, and a hinge 331 that are preferablysubstantially identical to the body portion 101, earpiece 105,rechargeable battery pack 107, antenna 109, flip element 121, input keys125, 126 and 127, mouthpiece 129, and hinge 131 respectively describedabove for the personal communicator 100.

A first display 303 is disposed on the body portion 301, in place of thekeypad 103 of FIG. 1. A second display 323 is disposed on the flipelement 321. The first display 303 and the second display 323 may beconventional LCD or plasma displays, or other types of lightweight,lower-power displays. In the preferred embodiment, both displays 303 and323 are DMF series LCD displays available from Optrex, with at least oneof the two displays being touch sensitive. The first display 303 and thesecond display 323 may provide any type of visual information to theuser of the personal communicator 300, such as alphanumeric text,graphics, or video images.

Preferably, the first display 303 is a touch sensitive display that canbe used for both input and output of information. For example, when thepersonal communicator 300 is being used as a radiotelephone, the firstdisplay 303 may display a visual facsimile of a telephone keypad (asshown in dashed lines in FIG. 3), allowing a user to dial a telephonenumber by pressing a finger repeatedly on the surface of the display303. The display 303 may also be employed in other ways to facilitatetelephone number dialing. For example, the display 303 may present adirectory of telephone numbers, allowing a user to dial a telephonenumber by simply touching a directory entry. Further, the personalcommunicator 300 may be equipped with a handwriting recognitioncapability, allowing a user to dial a telephone number by hand writingthe number on the display 303 with a stylus.

If a non-touch sensitive display is used for the first display 303, someother means to input telephone numbers and other information ispreferably provided. For example, the second display 323 may be a touchsensitive display that provides for input of data. Alternatively, thepersonal communicator 300 may be equipped with a voice recognitioncapability, so that a user of the personal communicator 300 may dial atelephone number by simply speaking into the mouthpiece 329.

The specific functions of the displays 303 and 323 depend on thespecific implementation of the personal communicator 300, as well as onthe software application being executed by the personal communicator300. For example, both displays may be used for output, both for input,or either one of the displays 303 or 323 may be used for input while theother display is used for output. Advantageously, the addition of thesecond display 303 provides a greater display area for displayingreceived messages over the personal communicator 100 of FIG. 1. Thisfacilitates the display of relatively long messages that are commonlyencountered with certain types of communications applications. Further,with the use of two displays 303, 323, one display can be used todisplay messages while the other display is used to display menu items.Thus, for example, messages can be displayed on the display 303, whilethe display 323 displays menu items that allow the user to scrollthrough the displayed message, zoom-in on the message (with facsimilemessages, for example), edit the displayed message, or save the messageto memory.

As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the provision of twodisplays, at least one of which is touch-sensitive, opens up a widerange of possibilities. For example, a terminal emulation program maydisplay a visual facsimile of a conventional “QWERTY” typewriterkeyboard on the first display 303 while displaying a user-input textmessage (input using the QWERTY typewriter keyboard) on the seconddisplay 323. Or, a voice mail application may display a menu of optionsfor managing voice messages on the first display 303, while the seconddisplay 323 displays helpful information regarding the voice mailoptions displayed on the first display 303.

Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram of the internal circuitry of thepersonal communicator 300 is shown, with arrows indicating the directionof information flow between the various electrical components of thepersonal communicator 300. A CPU 401 is connected to an input port 408and an output port 409. The CPU 401 is also connected to a nonvolatileRAM 415 and a ROM 416. Connected to the input port 408 are the inputkeys 325, 326, and 327, a switch 430, and a receiver (“Rx”) 413. Theswitch 430 is connected between a line 432 and a voltage source (+V). Apull-down resistor 434 is connected between the line 432 and ground. Theswitch 430, input keys 325, 326, 327, and receiver 413 are structurallyand functionally substantially identical to the switch 230, input keys125, 126, 127, and receiver 213 of FIG. 2.

Connected to the output port 409 are a speaker 405, an optionalmechanical vibrator 412, a transmitter (“Tx”) 414, a first displaydriver 403, a second display driver 423, and a ringer 411. The vibrator412 and transmitter 414 perform substantially the same functions as thevibrator 212 and transmitter 214 of FIG. 2. The first display driver 403is connected to the first display 303, and the second display driver 423is connected to the second display 323. If the first display 303 is atouch sensitive display, the first display driver 403 is connected tothe input port 408, as represented by a dashed line in FIG. 4. If thesecond display 323 is a touch sensitive display, the second displaydriver 423 is also connected to the input port 408, as represented by adashed line in FIG. 4. The speaker 405 is situated proximately behindthe earpiece 305 so that the user of the personal communicator 300 isable to hear the sounds generated by the speaker 405. In addition tobeing connected to the input port 408, the receiver 413 is connected tothe antenna 309 and to the speaker 405. The transmitter 414, in additionto being connected to the output port 409, is connected to the antenna309 and to the microphone 429. The microphone 429 is situatedproximately behind the mouthpiece 329 in order to pick up the voice ofthe user of the personal communicator 300. If the personal communicator300 is equipped to accept and process audio input, the microphone 429 isalso connected to the input port 408, as shown by a dashed line in FIG.4.

The components of the personal communicator 300 serve the same orsimilar functions as the like-named components of the personalcommunicator 100. However, the personal communicator 300 of the secondembodiment replaces the telephone keypad 103 of the first embodimentwith the first display 303 and the first display driver 403,significantly increasing the total display area.

The various modes of operation for the dual-display personalcommunicator 300 are similar to those described above for thesingle-display personal communicator 100. Both displays 303 and 323 areturned off by the CPU 401 when the flip element 321 is closed. When theflip element 321 is open, one or both of the displays 303, 323 may beturned on by the CPU 401. Advantageously, one of the two displays 303 or323 may be maintained in an off state by the CPU 401 when it is notneeded, and may be automatically switched on only when an applicationrequires additional display area. Power may thereby be conserved.

Referring to FIG. 5, the input keys 325, 326, and 327 are softwaredefinable, as with the keys 125, 126 and 127 of the personalcommunicator 100. Referring to FIG. 3, if a non-touch sensitive displayis used for the display 303, additional software-definable keys (notshown) may be provided on the body portion 301 proximate to the display303. For example, keys may be provided in the area generally indicatedby the reference number 340.

FIG. 6 illustrates the configuration of either of the personalcommunicators 100 and 300 when the flip element 121, 321 is foldedinward to meet with the body portion 101, 301. In addition totransforming the personal communicator 100, 300 to a compact state foreasy storage, this method of closing the personal communicatoradvantageously serves to protect the display 123 (FIG. 1) or displays303, 323 (FIG. 3) of the personal communicator 100, 300 from physicaldamage, while further serving to switch the displays 123, 303, 323 to anoff state.

A description of some of the message handling capabilities of thepersonal communicators 100, 300 will now be provided. The personalcommunicators 100 and 300 preferably include software that permits datamessages to be transferred over a cellular network in accordance with ashort message service (SMS) standard. Various short message services arecurrently in use in Europe. Additionally, the CCITT is currentlydeveloping an SMS standard. Messages transmitted in accordance with aparticular standard typically contain attributes that specify how themessage should be treated by the personal communicator. For example amessage may have a priority indicator (indicating, for example,priorities of “emergency,” “urgent,” “normal,” and “interactive”), atime and date indicator (indicating the time and date the message wassent), a validity period indicator (indicating a period of time forwhich the message should be retained by the receiver), a privacyindicator (indicating, for example, whether or not the message isconfidential), and an acknowledgement indicator (indicating whether thesending application requested an acknowledgement that the message wasreceived). The implementation of a specific SMS standard is accomplishedprimarily through appropriate software.

FIG. 7 illustrates in a flow chart for a typical sequence of steps thatare performed when a data message, such as a message transmitted inaccordance with an SMS standard, is received by a personal communicator.The sequence of events is applicable to both of the above-describedpersonal communicators 100 and 300, although the method by which eachstep is performed may differ.

Referring to the decision block 702, once a message is received, thepersonal communicator 100 or 300 will initially decide whether or not toalert the user. This decision may be based, for example, on the priorityattribute of the message (if any), on the position flip element 121,321, and on how the particular personal communicator 100 or 300 has beenconfigured by the user. If a decision is made not to alert the user, themessage may be stored to memory 215, 415, as indicated by the block 730.If a decision is made to alert the user, the personal communicator 100or 300 will generate an audible tone from the ringer 211, 411, activatethe mechanical vibrator 212, 412, or generate a visual display (such asa flashing icon) on a screen, as indicated by the block 708. Theparticular method for alerting the user preferably depends upon how thepersonal communicator 100 or 300 has been configured or preprogrammed bythe user, and may also depend upon the type of message received.

Once the appropriate incoming message indicator has been made active,the personal communicator 100 or 300 will enter into a loop whilewaiting for the user to take an action, as indicated by the blocks 710,712 and 714. The user may take an action in response to the incomingmessage, for example, by depressing one of the keys 125-127 or 325-327,or by depressing a portion of a touch sensitive screen 123, 303, or 323that has an incoming message icon displayed thereon. Appropriate menuoptions may be provided at this time on one of the screens to indicatethe various actions that can be taken (e.g., read message, storemessage, etc.). If no action is taken within a preprogrammed timeoutperiod, the message may automatically be transferred to memory 215, 415,as indicated by the blocks 714 and 716.

Referring to the decision blocks 720 and 722, if the user requests thatthe message be displayed, the personal communicator 100 or 300 may checkto determine whether a confidentiality attribute is included within themessage. If the message is confidential, the personal communicator 100or 300 may prompt the user to enter a password, as indicated by theblock 726. A password may be entered, for example, by depressing asequence of numbers on the keypad 103 (FIG. 1), or by entering asequence of characters displayed on a screen 123, 303, or 323. Access tothe message will be denied if a correct password is not entered, asindicated by the blocks 728 and 730.

If the message is not confidential, or the message is confidential andthe correct password has been entered, the message will be displayed, asindicated by the block 734. For the personal communicator 100 of FIG. 1,the message is displayed on the screen 123. For the personalcommunicator 300 of FIG. 3, the message may be displayed on one or bothof the screens 303 and 323. A software-definable key 125-127 or 325-327,for example, may then be used to scroll through the message, or toselect an appropriate option for handling the message (e.g., discard,store, forward, reply, etc.). For the personal communicator 300, one ofthe two screens 303 and 321 may advantageously be used for displayingthese various options while the other screen is used to display themessage.

Referring to the blocks 740 and 742, once the user is finished viewingthe message, the personal communicator 100 or 300 may check anacknowledgement indicator attribute of the message. If anacknowledgement request is present, the personal communicator 100 or 300transmits an acknowledgement message to the sender as indicated by theblock 746, indicating that the message has been received and viewed. Anacknowledgement message may alternatively be transmitted when themessage is first received by the personal communicator 100 or 300.Finally, as indicated by the blocks 730, 748 and 750, the personalcommunicator 100 or 300 either discards the message or saves the messageto RAM 215, 415, at the option of the user.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedto the specific embodiments described herein, and that changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of theinvention. It is contemplated, therefore, to cover the presentinvention, and any and all such modifications thereto, by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal communicator, comprising: a bodyportion configured for placement to an ear of a user; a speaker disposedin the body portion; an input device disposed on the body portion forallowing the user to enter information; a flip element hingedly mountedon the body portion, wherein a position of the flip element determinesan operating mode of the personal communicator from among a voice mode,a display mode, and a dual mode that supports simultaneous participationin telephone conversations and interaction with software applicationprograms including text messaging applications; a microphone disposed inthe flip element; a display disposed on the flip element, the displaybeing of sufficient size to present multiple lines of alphanumeric datasimultaneously to the user; a memory for storing application programs;and a processor disposed in communication with the display, theprocessor executing application programs stored in the memory and beingcapable of receiving application programs by transmission from a remotestorage device, wherein the received application programs may beexecuted partially by the processor and partially by a remote processingmeans and wherein the processor controls power states of components ofthe personal communicator in response to the operating mode.
 2. Apersonal communicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the input devicecomprises a telephone keypad.
 3. A personal communicator as defined inclaim 1, wherein the input device comprises a touch-sensitive display.4. A personal communicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the display isa touch-sensitive display that serves as a second input device.
 5. Apersonal communicator as defined in claim 1, further comprising aplurality of input keys on the flip element, the input keys positionedproximate to the display so that software-definable functions performedby each of the input keys can be indicated on the display.
 6. A personalcommunicator as defined in claim 1, further comprising means to activatethe display when the flip element is in a first angular positionrelative to the body portion and to deactivate the display when the flipelement is in a second angular position relative to the body portion. 7.A personal communicator, comprising; a body portion configured forplacement to an ear of a user; a speaker disposed in the body portion; afirst display disposed on the body portion; a flip element hingedlymounted on the body portion, wherein a position of the flip elementdetermines an operating mode of the personal communicator from among avoice mode, a display mode, and a dual mode that supports simultaneousparticipation in telephone conversations and interaction with softwareapplication programs including text messaging applications; a microphonedisposed in the flip element; a second display disposed on the flipelement, the second display being of sufficient size to present multiplelines of alphanumeric data simultaneously to the user; a memory forstoring application programs; and a processor disposed in communicationwith the first and second displays, the processor executing applicationprograms stored in the memory and being capable of receiving applicationprograms by transmission from a remote storage device, the executingcontrolling information displayed on said displays, wherein the receivedapplication programs control the processor and displays and theapplication programs may be executed partially by the processor andpartially by a remote processing means and wherein the processorcontrols power states of components of the personal communicator inresponse to the operating mode.
 8. A personal communicator as defined inclaim 7, wherein said first display is a touch-sensitive display thatserves as an input device for allowing a user to enter information.
 9. Apersonal communicator as defined in claim 7, wherein said second displayis a touch-sensitive display that serves as an input device for allowinga user to enter information.
 10. A personal communicator as defined inclaim 7, further comprising at least one software-definable input key onsaid flip element, said input key positioned proximate to said displaysuch that a function of said input key can be indicated on said display.11. A personal communicator as defined in claim 7, further comprisingmeans to activate at least one of said displays when said flip elementis in a first angular position relative to said body portion and todeactivate at least one of said displays when said flip element is in asecond angular position relative to said body portion.
 12. A method ofcommunicating, comprising: receiving at least one data message in aradiotelephone that includes a flip element with a display screenhingedly attached to a body portion that is configured for placement toan ear of a user for voice communications; receiving applicationprograms by transmission from a remote storage device; in response to aposition of the flip element, determining an operating mode of theradiotelephone from among a voice mode, a display mode, and a dual modethat supports simultaneous participation in telephone conversations andinteraction with software application programs including text messagingapplications, wherein the received application programs are processedpartially by the remote storage device; controlling power states ofcomponents of the radiotelephone in response to the operating mode; anddisplaying the at least one data message on the display screen.
 13. Themethod according to claim 12, further comprising activating the displayscreen by opening the flip element.
 14. The method according to claim12, further comprising displaying at least one menu option on a portionof the display screen, the menu option indicating a function of an inputkey located on the flip element.
 15. The method according to claim 12,further comprising: displaying a menu option on a portion of the displayscreen; and selecting the menu option by pressing on the portion of thedisplay screen.
 16. A personal communicator, comprising: a body portionconfigured for placement to an ear of a user; a speaker disposed in thebody portion; input means disposed on the body portion for allowing theuser to enter information; a flip element hingedly mounted on the bodyportion, wherein a position of the flip element determines an operatingmode of the personal communicator from among a voice mode, a displaymode, and a dual mode that supports simultaneous participation intelephone conversations and interaction with software applicationprograms including text messaging applications; a microphone disposed inthe flip element; a display disposed on the body; a memory for storingapplication programs; and a CPU disposed in communication with the inputmeans and the display, the CPU executing application programs stored inthe memory and being capable of receiving application programs bytransmission from a remote storage device, wherein the applicationprograms include at least one program that controls display ofinformation, wherein the application programs may be executed partiallyby the processor and partially by a remote processing means and whereinthe CPU controls power states of components of the personal communicatorin response to the operating mode.
 17. The personal communicatoraccording to claim 16, wherein said CPU is further disposed incommunication with said microphone and one of said application programsimplements voice recognition enabling a user to dial a telephone numberby speaking into said microphone.
 18. The personal communicatoraccording to claim 16, wherein said display is touch sensitive and oneof said application programs implements handwriting recognition enablinga user to dial a telephone number by writing on said display.
 19. Thepersonal communicator according to claim 16, further comprising a seconddisplay disposed on said flip element, said display being of sufficientsize to present multiple lines of alphanumeric data simultaneously tothe user.
 20. The personal communicator according to claim 19, whereinsaid display and said second display are both touch sensitive.
 21. Thepersonal communicator according to claim 19, wherein said display istouch sensitive.
 22. The personal communicator according to claim 19,wherein said display and said second display may be turned on and off asrequired by said CPU executing one of said application programs.
 23. Thepersonal communicator of claim 16, further comprising: a voice modewherein said communicator operates as a telephone; and a display modewherein said user may interact with one or more of said applicationprograms.
 24. The personal communicator of claim 23, further comprising:a dual mode wherein said communicator operates as a telephone, and saiduser may interact with one or more of said application programs.
 25. Aprogrammable personal communicator comprising: a body portion configuredfor placement to an ear of a user; a speaker disposed in the bodyportion; input means disposed on the body portion for allowing the userto enter information; a flip element hingedly mounted on the bodyportion, wherein a position of the flip element determines an operatingmode of the programmable personal communicator from among a voice mode,a display mode, and a dual mode that supports simultaneous participationin telephone conversations and interaction with software applicationprograms including text messaging applications; a microphone disposed inthe flip element; a display disposed on the flip element the displaybeing of sufficient size to present multiple lines of alphanumeric datasimultaneously to the user and for displaying facsimile messages ande-mail messages; a memory for storing application programs; and a CPUdisposed in communication with the display, the CPU executingapplication programs stored in the memory and being capable of receivingapplication programs by transmission from a personal computer via acommunications adapter, the adapter linking the CPU to the personalcomputer, the executing controlling information displayed on thedisplay, the CPU receiving the facsimile messages and the e-mailcommunications, wherein the application programs may be executedpartially by the processor and partially by a remote processing meansand wherein the CPU controls power states of components of the personalcommunicator in response to the operating mode.
 26. A programmablepersonal communicator comprising: a body portion configured forplacement to the ear of a user; a speaker disposed in said body portion;an input device disposed on said body portion for allowing the user toenter information; a flip element hingedly mounted on said body portion,wherein a position of the flip element determines an operating mode ofthe programmable personal communicator from among a voice mode, adisplay mode, and a dual mode that supports simultaneous participationin telephone conversations and interaction with software applicationprograms including text messaging applications; a microphone disposed insaid flip element; a display disposed on said flip element, said displaybeing of sufficient size to present multiple lines of alphanumeric datasimultaneously to the user and for displaying facsimile messages ande-mail messages; a memory for storing application programs; and a CPUdisposed in communication with said display, said CPU executingapplication programs stored in said memory and being capable ofreceiving application programs by transmission from a personal computervia a communications adapter, said adapter linking said CPU to saidpersonal computer, said executing controlling information displayed onsaid display, said CPU receiving said facsimile messages and said e-mailcommunications, wherein execution of said application programs isdisplayed in said display, wherein the received application programs maybe executed partially by the processor and partially by a remoteprocessing means and wherein the CPU controls power states of componentsof the personal communicator in response to the operating mode.